WASHING ketchup and mustard out of your clothes for a week after a show where every band member vomited Vienna sausages onstage might not be ideal for many musicians.

But for KleoKatt, Al Random, and Amy Wormhole of Savannah trio Pussy Launcher, picking canned meat out of one’s hair, tending to burned clothes, and cleaning up blood are just the proud marks of a great show.

“Burns Alley in Charleston told us, ‘Anything goes, but don’t light the curtains on fire, because someone lit the curtains on fire last week,’” says drummer and band founder KleoKatt, recounting their last smashing success of a gig.

Pussy Launcher’s Holy City debut was anything but holy—at least in the Judeo-Christian sense. KleoKatt, who finished the show wearing only pasties and underpants, slathered in ketchup, mustard, and pickle relish, explains the band’s mess was a sacrifice to the hot dog gods.

“I was summoning them, got naked, covered myself in mustard, relish, and Vienna sausages, and proceeded to have communion with a three-dollar bottle of wine,” she states matter-of-factly. “People were coming up and taking [the sausages], then I started feeding Al Vienna sausages.”

“One,” Random clarifies. “One sausage. That I stomached. Amy threw it up onstage.”

By the end of the gig, the tarpless stage was absolutely trashed.

“And they paid us and asked us back!” Random beams.

Pussy Launcher’s antics and fascination with gas station foods are a natural complement to their sound, a raw kind of cowpunk that encourages participatory sing-alongs and standing on dudes as if they’re bearskin rugs. The show and the songs are confrontational, horribly irreverent, and now, the band finally has recordings for their foul-mouthed legacy.

“We’ve been called everything,” says KleoKatt. “We were called ‘Savannah’s Worst Band’ for a while. Now we’re playing places and people are like, ‘I’m surprised you actually sound good. You’re actual musicians.’”

In their own words, Pussy Launcher plays “Southern degenerate rock” featuring country rhythms and a lot of two-beats. Random, who often performs on upright bass, would bring her giant axe to PL gigs to keep the Southern vibe, but it would limit her mobility and access to Vienna sausages.

“[Kleo] dictates that I have to play the electric,” she says wryly.

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Pussy Launcher began as a collaboration between KleoKatt and her ex-boyfriend Ty Watkins. The duo eventually invited Random to join on bass, and when Watkins and KleoKatt’s relationship ended, Crystina Parker took his place as guitarist. Parker recently departed the band, and Wormhole joined on guitar.

“I was really nervous at first, because I hadn’t played in a band in a long time,” Wormhole shares. “But everybody’s so nice, and I really warmed up to it now, I think.”

“And,” she adds, “It’s cool that [Kleo] manages everything, because I already do too much! I’m so happy to have someone else be the leader.”

The trio wants to offer a Saint Patrick’s Day alternative to downtown-avoiding locals—but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a messy, debauched time. A Pussy Launcher show is an experience, and their album release party is no different. The band encourages their fans to wear ponchos, or clothes they don’t care about, or drag clothes they don’t care about.

“Pretend you’re going to a Gallagher show,” KleoKatt says.

Attendees can show off their artistic skills in a phallus drawing competition inspired by a fresh PL track. There’s a drag contest, naughty piñatas, and Valore, Too Much, American Lesion, and Mammoth Cannon opening the show. Every dude performing onstage will be dressed in drag.

“We wanted to have all-girl bands,” says Random. “But we couldn’t get them and had all these guys who wanted to play. So, we said, ‘Under one stipulation—you gotta dress in drag.’ It’s not necessarily an anti-St. Patrick’s Day party, because we’re running all the snakes out of Savannah!”

Guests can also sip special Pussy Launcher cocktails, served in martini glasses with three variations available.

“Mine is well vodka, ‘cause I’m cheap,” says KleoKatt with a wicked grin. “The garnish is going to be a cherry and lime garnish. If you get The Al Random, you go for the random—you have gin. If you have the Amy Wormhole, you’re going to have to have classier vodka, so that one has Stoli. Amy’s the fancy lady!”

The band will have fresh shirts, printed by 13 Bricks, and CDs available for purchase at the show.

“If you like to be entertained and offended at the same time, come on out,” KleoKatt invites. “If you’re easily offended, don’t even walk through the door. That’s my best advice!”

More by Anna Chandler

About The Author

Bio:Connect Savannah Former Arts & Entertainment Editor Anna Chandler started writing about music after growing hoarse from talking about it nonstop. Born in Tennessee and raised in South Carolina, she has been a proud Savannahian for 8 years. She sings & plays guitar & accordion in COEDS and Lovely Locks.